A Jimbo Family Christmas

Christmas 2011 was the first I've spent at the Ranch since I lived there back in the early 50's. It's been something I've looked forward to for lots of years so you can imagine how special it was to spend it there with Karol, the kids and grandkids.
So, the morning of the eve of Christmas Eve (one of my favorite days), we went on a mission: the Christmas Tree hunt. All of us wanted to cut a tree on the ranch. None of those store-bought trees for us!

Here are my son, Clint and grandson Clinton discussing the attributes of the tree selection. Twas almost disappointing finding a tree because it was so much fun trudging around in the snow looking for one. We ran across lots of deer and bunny tracks.

We found one! Now Clinton gets the honor with his shiny new folding saw. He's so scrunched up under the tree that you can hardly see him. Look hard, he's there. And he made short work of the trunk. In no time at all we have....

The hunters with their trophy tree, now all's left is the happy trek back to the cabin where a warm fire and hot chocolate wait.

Twas a short hike over the spring and across the meadow to the cabin. And the result....

A truly old fashioned REAL Christmas Tree. No fancy plastic made in China tree for the Ranch... oh no. We have a real genuine Deadman Crick Fir tree with all the Christmas smells and scarce branches along with a few pine needle decorations donated by a neighbor pine tree, envious of the little fir, but probably a bit proud too. So we added a few decorations of our own....

And, on Christmas Eve, we had a gathering of family. Don't remember a happier Christmas Eve...

And then of course, Santa somehow got wind of the change in location from our city homes to the Ranch, and got extra good cookies and milk for his effort. He must have been pleased because he remembered us all...

I'm hoping you had a wonderful Christmas too. Thanks for letting me share ours.
Jimbo